When it comes to building a high-performing team, the stakes are high.

A wrong hire doesn’t just drain resources—it disrupts the Vision, weakens Traction, and threatens your company culture.

As a certified EOS Implementer, I coach leadership teams to go beyond surface-level hiring practices and use the EOS® People Component™ to assess alignment, accountability and long-term fit.

These nine interview questions are designed to help you determine if candidates Get it, Want it, and have the Capacity to do the job—while also living out your organization’s Core Values.

Let’s go beyond checking boxes and start hiring for true fit and performance.

1. What was the last book you read or podcast you listened to?

This question targets growth mindset—a key attribute of people who demonstrate strong Capacity and Want It.

Curiosity, initiative, and self-directed learning are signs they’re aligned with a culture of continuous improvement.

Follow up with: “What did you take away from it?” to test depth of learning and application.

2. What do you know about our company?

Candidates who take the initiative to research your company are showing signs of GWC™: they Want It and potentially Get It.

Their answer reveals whether they’re attracted to your Vision, and if they’re likely to thrive in your culture.

Disinterest or generalities often indicate a misalignment with your Core Focus™.

3. Where do you see yourself in 5–10 years?

This helps assess long-term alignment with your Accountability Chart.

Do they envision growth and a clear path of contribution?

This question reveals whether your company is a long-term destination or just a temporary stop.

You’re not hiring for a seat—you’re hiring someone who fits it long-term.

4. How do you like to be coached or managed?

Every Visionary or Integrator™ needs team members who respond well to feedback and accountability.

This question uncovers compatibility with your LMA™ (Lead, Manage, and hold Accountable) approach.

It also shows how self-aware the candidate is and whether they’ll thrive within your leadership team’s management style.

5. What’s your biggest area for improvement, and what are you doing about it?

Honesty and humility are vital indicators of Core Values alignment

Top candidates show ownership and self-awareness—not blame-shifting or defensiveness.

The follow-up reveals whether they take action, which ties back to your Process Component™ and a culture of accountability.

6. If you were handed a task with zero instructions and no one around to help, what would you do first?

This tests for Capacity and Problem-Solving Ownership.

Are they self-sufficient and resourceful?

Can they Get It and operate without hand-holding?

If your organization runs on streamlined processes and a strong Scorecard culture, you need someone who figures things out—fast.

7. What questions did you bring for us?

A true Core Values match won’t just sit back—they engage.

This reveals ownership mindset, curiosity, and signs of Want It.

It also shifts the interview from a one-sided pitch to a dynamic exchange—an EOS® hallmark of healthy, open and honest communication.

8. Where do you believe you’d need the most help in this role?

This provides a candid view into onboarding needs and helps you assess whether the candidate can grow into the seat.

It also invites healthy dialogue around coaching and support—core to effective LMA™.

Vulnerability here is a strength, not a weakness.

9. What’s your biggest hesitation in taking this job?

Transparency drives trust.

When you ask this, you create space for real concerns and reveal the candidate’s ability to be open and honest, one of the EOS® Five Leadership Abilities™.

Their answer can prevent future misalignment and show how aligned they are with your Vision/Traction Organizer® (V/TO®).

A Smarter, EOS®-Driven Approach to Interviewing

Hiring shouldn’t be guesswork.

If you want to gain Traction, you need to surround yourself with people who are aligned with your Core Values, energized by your Vision, and capable of driving results in their seat.

These questions will help you:

• Identify Right People, Right Seats
• Clarify if candidates GWC™ the role
• Align hiring decisions with your V/TO®
• Strengthen your People Component™

If your current hiring process isn’t revealing whether someone truly fits your EOS®-run organization, it’s time to go deeper.

Want to learn more?

Schedule a FREE 90-Minute Meeting where we’ll show you:

• Why EOS works, is so successful and helps free owners
• Exactly where your team needs to grow to the next stage
• Our Foundational Tools and how we implement them
• Our Proven Process and how we guarantee value behind what we do